Obituary: Gwendolyn Wila Greene Prater

Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory.

Gwendolyn Wila Greene Prater

Gwendolyn Wila Greene Prater, age 76, of Joliet, passed away Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Silver Cross Hospital, with her family by her side.

Gwendolyn Wila Green Prater was born April 4, 1949, to Herbert Bradford and Bennie Mae Greene and was raised by Charlene Greene and William Greene upon the passing of Bennie Mae.

Gwen matriculated through the Joliet Public School system and was a graduate of Joliet Central High School, Class of 1967. She obtained course study at Joliet Junior College and continued her education and graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing as a License Practical Nurse in 1974.

Gwen was employed by Joliet Transit Authority, EJ&E Railroad, Deerbrook Nursing Facility, Trinity Services and Joliet Junior College Renaissance Center. She retired and continued services to the elderly through the home health care agency, Help-At-Home.

She was united in holy matrimony to James Blalock. To this union were born Kimberly Blalock and James Blalock, Jr. Gwen later married Robert James Prater, and to this union was born Nina Jameese Prater.

Gwen was a born-again believer. She loved and served God in her early years at St. John Missionary Baptist Church. She later joined New Life Christian Fellowship Church and served faithfully under the tutelage of Pastors Victor and Glenda McCullum. At the time of her transition, she served as a member at The Way Church of Joliet under the pastorate of Pastor Edward Winfrey, Jr. Gwen was an avid reader and enjoyed reading the Bible, and inspirational books. Among her many hobbies were sewing, thrift store shopping, crossword puzzles, music, and cooking. She was a great fan of Tyler Perry.

Gwen’s heart motivation was the children, especially the little ones. Her greatest desire was to see their needs met, and for them to grow and develop into thriving adults. During her many shopping excursions, the little ones were always first and foremost on her list. Gwen’s family was her greatest joy and sometimes her greatest pain; the matriarch, the foundation, the strength, and the one whom everyone called upon for everything. She was always there to solve problems, provide solutions, and ensure peace.

Gwen was preceded in death by her birth parents, Bennie Mae Greene and Herbert Bradford; parents, Charlene and William Greene; paternal grandparents, Bo and Daisy Carter; husband, Robert James Prater; son, James Blalock, Jr.; sisters, Roberta Greene, Barbara Ann Greene, Rosie Bea, Pauline Greene, Debra Ann Greene, and Annette Greene; brothers, Jackie Greene, Willie Lee Greene, Lee Charles Greene, Stony Greene, Kenneth Greene, Marvin Greene, Andrew and David; great-granddaughter, Journey Chandler; granddaughter, Courtney Blalock; goddaughter, Tamela Waddell Clayton; and Delores Barber Waddell.

She is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Blalock and Nina J. Prater; sister, Lois Jean Greene; brother, Larry Greene; grandchildren, Willie Blalock Ray, Andriana Shardae Sturgis, Tyriana (Fawzi) Ottman, Jahaud Davis, Tyrone Jackson, Jasmine (Udo) Chandler, Courtney Blalock; great-grandchildren, Jayla, Tamara, Kahleina, Uriah, Jovanni, Jameir, Cassius, Layla, Jaliyah, Jayelle, Jayana, and Jaziah; godchildren, Earline Waddell-Wilson, Crystal Waddell-White, LaKita Waddel-Baker John and Tanisha Patrick; special friends, Carolyn Patrick, Sandra Chandler, Glenda Redmond, and sewing partner, Irene Hudson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation for Gwendolyn Greene Prater will be held Thursday, July 17, 2025, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, Joliet. Additional visitation will be held Friday, July 18, 2025, from 10:00 a.m., until the time of funeral services at 11:00 a.m., at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 104 E. Zarley Avenue, Joliet. Interment will follow in Elmhurst Cemetery, Joliet.

For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com

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